Element Restraint

Chapter 27: Acantha

I spend most of my time with Paxon as he struggles to stay awake. Halfway through the flight, when we are over Iceling soil, he puts the jet on autopilot and sits back.

As he closes his eyes, I lean over to look at the windshield.

White rain hits the windshield. I watch as it hits the glass and melts down, sliding down. A white blanket lays over the land. It seems quiet and calm. It reminds me of home when I see the mountains and forests. Home except someone took a paintbrush and painted everything gray and white.

I turn to say something, but everyone is sleeping, everyone but Erik.

Aella lays her shoulder on him, sleeping soundly. He leans his head back, looking at the ceiling longly. I think this might be the first time I can see so clearly how he is feeling.

He seems sad. Simple as that. Just a sad, lonely boy. He is not more than twenty years old. A few years older than me, but still young. To think of losing everything he has in the past week and a half. His brother, crown, home, possibly his freedom. It is like now is the moment he has fully acknowledged it. Acknowledged the mess he is in.

When he notices me looking, a shield slips over his silver eyes. In seconds all his emotions disappear. His face goes back to the frown, his eyes growing cold.

I woke up Paxon two hours later as commanded. He rubs his eyes and slides his glasses back on his face. Just as he grips the wheel, he commands me to tell everyone we are landing.

"We are approaching Lazuli!" I shout to everyone. He smiles when I shout.

"Thank you." He says much quieter. "I do not think I could speak that loud."

I give him a light punch on the shoulder and sit down next to him.

We hit the ground with a hard thud. Our heads bounce around as we drive down the runway.

When we are safely on the ground, Galen cheers like he has not spent the past fifteen hours puking up all substance in his body.

"We made it!" He exclaims, still green-faced. Everyone joins in cheering with him. Everyone but Erik.

When the door is open, Galen is out the door. A bright light shines through the door. I have to squint my eyes to look at it.

As I am walking towards it with everyone, Erik grabs my arm, pulling me away.

"They will know about you when we get there." He warns me in hushed tones. I furrow my eyebrows. "Is that such a bad thing?" I ask.

"You saw what they did to me. You might end up with a Musgravite chip in your neck, and your arms chained to a wall."

"I am not like you, Erik," I say. "I did not spend my whole life on the wrong side of this."

"Are you sure about that?" He raises an eyebrow at me.

"Yes," I say firmly.

"It does not matter. All they see is an element controller. Someone more powerful than them. People do not like to be overpowered."

Erik releases my arm and walks away.

Maybe he is right. What if we are both thrown into a cellar, Aella right with us?

When I step out of the jet, the first thing I realize is that it is cold. Second, it is very bright. I lean down and touch the smooth blanket of white.

It is cold and wet in my hands.

"You finally know what snow feels like." Aella shivers. I give her a small smile. Erik takes off his jacket and puts it around his little sister's shoulders.